Tour of Britain: Route map and ETAs revealed as motorists reminded of rolling road closures
Last updated 3rd Sep 2024
Some of the world's leading cyclists are converging on Kelso for the start of the country's biggest professional cycling race.
The opening stage of this year's Tour of Britain starts and finishes in Kelso.
Among the competitors are two Borderers - local lad Oscar Onley, fresh from making his debut in the Tour de France; and Callum Thornley from Peebles.
After setting off from the cobbled streets of the abbey town at 10.30am this morning (Tuesday), riders will follow a 113-mile route round the region, taking in Coldstream, Gordon, Melrose and Jedburgh along the way.
And hundreds of spectators are expected to line the route to show their support.
Fringe events are being held throughout the day at Gibson Park in Melrose and Kelso town centre.
But motorists are being warned of disruption ahead, with a number of parking restrictions in force and a rolling road closure also in operation. This includes a number of trunk roads, including the A68 north of Jedburgh and at St Boswells.
A number of bus services are also expected to be disrupted, and anyone intending to travel is being urged to plan ahead.
Welcoming the extra visitors, Kelso Provost Gavin Horsburgh told Greatest Hits Radio: "We're incredibly excited and honoured that the organisers have chose our beautiful town to host the start and finish of this first stage here in Kelso.
"We last hosted the event in 2019 and this drew thousand of visitors to the town to get a live view of the action.
"This year will be extra special, having Kelso's own Oscar Onley participating in the tour."
And he added: "Although this may cause inconvenience for some - for one day - the extensive coverage will feature our town nationwide."
Free parking is available at Borders Events Centre, with free secure bike parking at the town’s Shedden Park.
Competing in the 20th edition of the event are 18 of the world’s top cycling teams, including the likes of double Olympic gold medallist Remco Evenepoel and double world road race champion Julian Alaphilippe (both Soudal Quick-Step).
As well as hosting the start and finish, a mid-stage intermediate sprint (estimated 1.48pm) will also take place in Kelso, giving spectators three chances to see the race.
Teams will be presented to the crowd on the podium from 9.30am, ahead of the stage start at 10.30am, with all of the racing broadcast live on a big screen for spectators in The Square.
For those fans heading out on the route, three popular locations will be the King of the Mountains climbs at Scott’s View (estimated 12.18pm and 2.13pm) and Dingleton (estimated 12.36pm and 2.32pm), which will both be tackled twice by the peloton.
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The race will twice contest an intermediate sprint alongside Gibson Park in the centre of Melrose (estimated 12.32pm and 2.28pm), where Live Borders will be hosting activity sessions from 11am.
This includes cycle speedway, bike football, ramp jump session and balance bikes, plus there will be live music and a big screen to follow the racing action from Melrose.
From 6pm the big screen will also show a variety of short and feature-length cycling-themed films. Free parking is available nearby.
Away from the racing in Kelso there will be activities from local cycling clubs, the Adaptive Riders Collective, and Live Borders cycling activity sessions for children to get involved with, plus live music in association with MacArts on the podium.
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Councillor Scott Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Community and Business Development, said: “It is great to see so many activities taking place throughout Kelso and Melrose to support the race.
“There is so much to do, for people of all ages and it is fantastic to see some big names getting involved too.
“It is shaping up to be an active couple of days and I would urge those thinking of attending to get involved.”
More details are available on Scottish Borders Council's events page here.
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